Spring 2011, March 7th
Posted January 25, 2012
Spring Cleanup
It’s been a fairly unremarkable winter (we take no responsibility for the snow that may fall because of writing this, unless like most of us, you enjoy getting out the skis!). Past weather trends only serve to remind us that Mother Nature is notoriously unpredictable during late winter/early spring in our area. One week may find your yard coated in a gorgeous snowfall while the next boasts temperatures high enough for the robins to start singing. One thing we do know for sure is that once those temperatures start rising the leaf buds and early bulbs begin to show signs of life, and that signals the start of spring cleanup.
Now is the perfect time to contact us and get on our list. Our crews are eager to be out in the gardens again. Cottage Gardener spring cleanup includes raking the beds, cleaning up and cutting back spent perennials, and pulling up any old annuals that didn’t get taken care of last fall. We like to apply an all purpose fertilizer/soil activator in most instances, and a pre-emergent to prevent those nasty weeds. We will take care of pruning the winter-killed branches to allow for new growth, and remove any dead shrubs and bushes that did not make it through the winter. We can also thin out crowded beds and transplant to fill in bare spots if necessary. In other words, spring cleanup means just that: cleaning up your beds in preparation for the growing season. Getting your beds in order early in the season will make an instrumental difference in your gardens overall health. We look forward to hearing from you!
‘Hot Cocoa’. One of our favorites!
Posted January 24, 2012
Everything's coming up roses...
Roses are not just for Valentine’s Day! We love roses in our gardens as well. Many of our clients believe that roses are just too much trouble, require a lot of maintenance, are too prone to disease and insects, etc. Not so! With a little TLC your roses will give you many years of enjoyment with minimum care. Simply speaking, there are three types of roses we like to use: Tea Roses (one flower on a single stem, good for cutting), Floribundas (clusters of flowers over a long season), and Grandifloras (cross between the tea and the floribunda, flowers in clusters on longer stems, usually taller than floribundas).
Most roses require essentially the same kind of treatment. They need plenty of sun (at least 6 hours per day), rich, well drained soil, and room to breathe. Once you have found the best location for your roses, the next step is to buy them. So many choices! Not only are there the above varieties, but you may also be tempted by tree roses, climbing roses, hedge and shrub roses, miniature roses, groundcover roses, heirloom roses….the list goes on.
Most of our local nurseries here in Boise offer a great selection in the spring. Cottage Gardeners is happy to order for you as well; just give us a call with your wish list! If you are on your own, it’s probably best to choose your roses when they are in bloom, as many times the pictures just don’t ring true.
When should roses be pruned, and by how much? The best time to prune your roses is in the spring “when the forsythia is in bloom” usually after the last hard frost. Pruning too early runs the risk of additional frost injury. When pruning, you will be removing dead wood as well as weak and crossing branches. How much to remove depends on you. We like to tell our friends to prune for the shape you like, and don’t worry about it. Fertilize systemically once or twice during the season, deadhead the spent blooms, and enjoy!
There are hundreds of wonderful books available (online too) with everything you would ever want to know about roses. Start small and you will become addicted in no time!
Catalog Avalanche!
Posted January 23, 2012
Buy Local
Mid-winter seems to be the season of the catalog. Our mailboxes are stuffed with publications full of beautiful photographs and descriptions of plants and bulbs, making us long for warmer temperatures and the start of our growing season. Did you know that most of the same plants found in those catalogs can be purchased locally from Cottage Gardeners and our local nurseries here in Boise?
Buying your plant and nursery materials direct from local nurseries like Cottage Gardeners ensures that you’re buying items which support our local farmers and small businesses. Locally grown plants have a much improved chance of thriving because they are acclimated to our weather conditions and soil. Buying locally means you’re also helping to reduce the introduction of invasive insects, weeds and disease into your garden.
We’ve heard from many clients who were dissatisfied with the size, health and overall condition of their plants when ordering through the mail. In general, it is cost prohibitive to purchase plants online, either bare root or with fully developed roots. Buying locally saves on fuel and transportation costs, as well as cutting down on the stress a plant is subjected to during the shipping process.
So, please check with us first if you are looking for a specific plant. We are happy to accommodate you if at all possible. It’s not too early to call us or send an email with the list of plants you’re interested in purchasing this year. Our trained nursery staff and gardeners will take the utmost care of these new plants, ensuring they are ready to be planted in your garden as soon as the weather permits.
Please also remember to visit us on our Saturday Market Days (4-6 times per year) where we feature quality plants for sale to the public. If you would like to receive our newsletter letting you know of these events, please send us an email through our website.
